The Pentagon is playing down the role of US troops in retaking Iraq's Mosul from ISIS

Fighters
from predominantly Sunni Arab force take part in training session
before upcoming battle to recapture Mosul in
BashiqaThomson
Reuters

The Pentagon on Monday played down any new role for US forces in
Iraq's battle to retake the city of Mosul from ISIS, saying
American personnel were behind the forward line of troops and
acting in an advisory role to support Iraqis.

"Americans are again playing an advisor role, an enabler role for
these Iraqi forces ... Most of the American forces in Iraq are
not anywhere close to the front line," Pentagon spokesman Peter
Cook told a news briefing, saying many U.S. troops were on
advisory or logistical support missions.

"The role of the US forces today is no different than up to this
point."

However, throughout the campaign against ISIS, the US has
suffered combat losses on the ground.

Charlie Keating IV, a Navy SEAL, was killed by ISIS fire earlier this year when
his quick reaction force responded to a rush of 120 or so
ISIS fighters storming mainly Kurdish forces just north of Mosul.

Video of the incident shows US troops out
front fighting alongside the Kurdish forces as the battle rages.